Food capsule with multiple compartments

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a food capsule ( 100, 300 ) comprising a cup-shaped capsule body ( 101, 301 ) enclosing a cavity ( 102, 302 ) with an opening ( 105, 305 ) at a first end ( 103, 303 ), a second end ( 104, 304 ) comprising at least one outlet ( 106   a,    106   b,    310, 311 ) communicating with said cavity ( 102, 302 ); an injection wall ( 112, 314 ) closing said opening ( 105, 305 ); and at least one partition ( 107, 306 ) within said cavity ( 102, 302 ) extending from said injection wall ( 112, 314 ) to said second end ( 104, 304 ) of said capsule body ( 101, 301 ) and dividing said cavity ( 102, 302 ) into a plurality of chambers ( 108, 109, 308, 309 ); characterized in that each chamber houses a quantity of an alimentary substance ( 110, 111, 315, 316 ) and communicates with at least one outlet comprising an independently-operable closure means ( 106   a,    106   b,    310, 311 ) in said second end ( 104, 304 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2013/071297, filed on Oct. 11, 2013, which claims priority toEuropean Patent Application No. 12188393.8, filed on Oct. 12, 2012, theentire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a food capsule for use in a foodpreparation machine. This invention also relates to a method and a foodpreparation machine adapted to employ such a capsule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food preparation machines are well known in the food industry andconsumer goods domain. Such machines allow a consumer to prepare oncommand a single serving of a beverage such as brewed coffee, espressocoffee, tea, hot chocolate drink, or the like.

For purposes of clarity, the discussion of “food preparation machines”in this document should be understood as concerning such machines thatprepare a portion of a substantially liquid or semi-liquid alimentaryproduct.

Most food preparation machines for in-home use operate according to asystem in which alimentary substances such as beverage ingredients areprovided in individually-packaged, single-serving portions. Suchportions can be soft pods, pads, or sachets, but increasingly moresystems use semi-rigid or rigid portions such as rigid pods or capsules.In the following, it should be understood that the food preparationmachine in question employs a rigid or semi-rigid capsule.

In many instances, the capsules for use in food preparation machines aresealed. Such sealed capsules are advantageous in that they protect theircontents from the surrounding atmosphere, improving the shelf life ofthe capsule. Typically, such closed capsules are made from a gas and/ormoisture impermeable material, and feature a rigid or semi-rigid bodyhaving one of its walls made from a flexible membrane.

The product is prepared by inserting the capsule into a food preparationmachine, which preferably comprises a receptacle for accommodating saidcapsule and a fluid injection system for injecting a fluid (preferablywater) under pressure into said capsule. In most applications, the waterinjected into the capsule under pressure is heated, generally to atemperature above 70° C. However, in some particular instances it may beadvantageous to inject tepid or chilled water instead. The pressureinside the capsule chamber during extraction and/or dissolution of thecapsule contents is typically about 1 to about 8 bar for dissolutionproducts and about 2 to about 12 bar for extraction of roast and groundcoffee.

The present invention could also encompass the so-called “brewing”process of beverage preparation—particularly for tea and coffee. Brewinginvolves the infusion over time of the ingredient in a fluid, mostcommonly hot water, whereas extraction or dissolution preparationsproduce a beverage within a few seconds.

For purposes of clarity, however, in this document the term “brewing” ofan ingredient by a fluid is understood to encompass extraction of apowdered edible material (e.g. roast and ground powdered coffee),dissolution of edible soluble material (e.g. soluble tea, coffee, milk,or cocoa), or the infusion of an edible material in an infusion fluidunder very low or atmospheric pressure, for a longer time than thatrequired for extraction or dissolution (e.g. tea leaves in hot water).

The principle of extracting and/or dissolving the contents of a closedcapsule under pressure is known and consists typically of confining thecapsule in a receptacle of a machine, injecting a quantity ofpressurized water into the capsule to extract or dissolve the substance,and then dispensing the resulting beverage from the capsule.

The injection is generally performed by piercing a face of the capsulewith a piercing injection element, such as a fluid injection needleincorporated into the machine. Capsules applying this principle havealready been described, for example in applicant's European patent no EP1 472 156 B1, and in EP 1 784 344 B1.

In addition, machines applying this principle have already beendescribed for example in patents CH 605 293 and EP 242 556. According tothese documents, the machine comprises a receptacle for the capsule, anda perforation and injection element made in the form of a hollow needlecomprising in its distal region one or more liquid injection orifices.The needle has a dual function in that it simultaneously opens the topportion of the capsule while providing an inlet channel into the capsulefor the injection of the water.

The machine further comprises a supply of the fluid (usually water) thatis used to prepare the beverage from the substance(s) contained in thecapsule. The machine further comprises a heating unit such as a boileror a heat exchanger, which heats the water used therein to workingtemperatures (usually between 80° and 90° C.). Finally, the machinecomprises a pump for circulating the water from the tank to the capsule,optionally though the heating unit. The circulation of the water withinthe machine may be directed via a selecting valve means, such as forinstance a peristaltic valve of the type described in applicant'sEuropean patent application EP 2162653 A1.

Such systems are particularly well-adapted to the preparation of coffee.One configuration for achieving this which is particularly advantageousis to provide a capsule containing roast and ground coffee powder, whichis extracted with hot water injected therein.

Capsules have been developed for such an application, which aredescribed and claimed in applicant's European patent EP 1 784 344 B1, orin European patent application EP 2 062 831.

In short, such capsules typically comprise:

-   -   a hollow body and an injection wall which are impermeable to        liquids and to air, the wall being attached to the body and        adapted to be punctured by e.g. an injection needle of the        machine;    -   a chamber containing a bed of roast and ground coffee to be        extracted;    -   an aluminium membrane disposed at the bottom end of the chamber        for retaining the internal pressure therein, the membrane being        associated with piercing means which create drainage holes in        the aluminium membrane when the internal pressure inside the        chamber reaches a certain pre-determined value; and    -   optionally, a deflection means configured to break up the jet of        fluid, thereby reducing the speed of the jet of fluid injected        into the capsule and evenly distributing the fluid across the        bed of substance at a reduced speed.

During extraction, the food capsule is pierced by the fluid injectionneedle of the food preparation machine, usually in the aluminiummembrane. The liquid is injected in the capsule compartment and thepressure within the capsule increases, facilitating the extraction ofthe product from the ingredients contained within the capsule.

In some implementations, the food preparation machine also pierces thecapsule at a second location, for instance at its bottom, permitting thebeverage to flow out during the operation of the machine. In others, thefood capsule may be provided with a spout or drain, to which isgenerally affixed a valve or a membrane that opens when the pressurewithin the capsule builds up to the level required for proper beveragepreparation

When producing simple food products, i.e. those with only oneingredient, or that which may be prepared in a single step, thearrangements of the prior art produce satisfactory results. However,they are poorly adapted to the preparation of more complicated foodproducts.

Specifically, presently-known food capsules require that the entirequantity of alimentary substance present in the capsule be prepared atthe same time, during the injection of liquid into the capsule. While abeverage may have several ingredients, the resulting beverage musttherefore be a homogeneous mixture.

For instance, many coffee beverages are based on the principles ofproviding the ingredients in a certain order or layering ingredients. Inthe food preparation systems known in the art, however, the range ofpossible beverages which may be produced from existing food capsules islimited.

In particular, beverages such as cappuccinos, mochas, and the likerequire one to layer in a cup different food components such as espressocoffee, milk, flavoured syrup, etc. To make these beverages with thefood capsules known in the art, one must insert a first capsulecontaining a first food component, prepare that first food component,remove the first capsule, insert a second capsule containing a secondfood component, prepare the second food component, and so on.

This process is more complex and requires a great deal more effort tocomplete than the preparation of a simple beverage such as espressocoffee or hot tea. It also requires the user to purchase and store agreater number of capsules, and generates more waste for disposal thanthe preparation of simple beverages.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a capsulewhich permits one to produce a beverage having multiple components froma single food capsule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According, then, to a first aspect, the invention is directed to a foodcapsule, comprising a substantially cup-shaped capsule body enclosing acavity, said capsule body comprising a first end and a second end, saidfirst end comprising an opening communicating with said cavity and saidsecond end comprising at least one outlet communicating with saidcavity; an injection wall closing said opening of said first end of saidcapsule body; and at least one partition disposed within said cavity anddividing said cavity into a plurality of chambers.

According to the invention, said partition extends from said injectionwall to said second end of said capsule body, each chamber housing aquantity of an alimentary substance and being in communication with atleast one outlet provided in a second end, and in that each outletcomprises an independently-operable closure means.

This is advantageous in that a food capsule so configured comprises aplurality of alimentary substances, and which permits said plurality ofalimentary substances to be sequentially prepared. Since the foodcapsule contains a plurality of chambers, each chamber may be providedwith a different alimentary substance, for instance powdered milk androast & ground coffee.

Since each chamber may be furnished with a different alimentarysubstance, the food components may be produced in whichever order thechambers are injected with the liquid. Whereas in capsules of the priorart all of the alimentary substances are contained in one chamber andinfused or dissolved at the same time, the provision of a plurality ofchambers enables one to select which of the food components are infusedand/or dissolved, and in which order.

This is particularly advantageous in the preparation of complex coffeedrinks such as cappuccinos, which require several such components to beprovided in a particular order and layered upon each other. The foodcapsule of the present invention permits one to do this merely bychoosing the order in which the chambers of the food capsule areinjected with the liquid during the beverage preparation process. Thepresent invention thus permits the preparation of beverages of muchgreater complexity than is available with the food capsules known in theart.

The provision of a food capsule with a plurality of chambers alsopermits one to prepare fewer than all of the alimentary substancescontained within the capsule, by selectively injecting the chamberswithin said capsule. In this way, a single capsule may be employed toproduce a variety of different beverages for differing tastes.

For example, a food capsule may be furnished comprising a first chambercontaining roast and ground coffee, a second chamber containing powderedmilk, a third chamber containing a sweetener, and a fourth chambercontaining a flavouring (e.g. hazelnut extract). Such a capsule wouldpermit one to prepare drinks containing any or all of the ingredients,simply by selecting which of the chambers of the food capsule areinjected with liquid and which are not, and in which order. Theinvention therefore permits one to tailor the use of the capsulesaccording to the desire of the user, offering improved flexibility andconvenience.

The provision of different types of closure means upon the outlets ofthe capsule will result in a food capsule where each of the chambers maybe opened under different conditions, preferably automatically as aconsequence of the beverage preparation process.

Finally, the provision of the alimentary substances in separate chamberswithin the food capsule permits the injection parameters to be variedfrom chamber to chamber, such that one may optimize conditions such asliquid temperature and injection pressure according to the particularalimentary substance within each chamber.

For example, one may have a first chamber which contains an alimentarysubstance which is prepared by injection of a liquid at a low pressure(e.g. powdered milk), and a second chamber containing an alimentarysubstance prepared by injection of a liquid at high pressure (e.g. roast& ground coffee). Other parameters, such as temperature and volume, mayalso be adjusted depending on the particular alimentary substances beingprepared and the effect sought. In this way, the versatility of the foodcapsule is greatly increased, while maintaining a high level of qualityin the beverages that are produced from it.

Preferably, each of said closure means is configured according to one ofthe following:

-   -   a membrane that is self-tearable or generally openable when the        pressure inside the capsule relative to atmosphere rises above 1        bar, preferably above 3 bar, and most preferably above 5 bar;    -   an assembly comprising a pierceable membrane that is sealed to        the capsule body so as to close the latter, and piercing means        for piercing the membrane when said piercing means and membrane        contact each other, said contact being initiated by the rise of        pressure within the capsule or by actuating means disposed        outside of the capsule;    -   a peelable membrane which is peeled manually by the user; or    -   a dissolvable plug which is configured to dissolve when exposed        to liquid and/or elevated temperature.

This is advantageous in that the openings disposed upon the outlets ofthe food capsule will all open at slightly different points in thebeverage preparation process and under different conditions, dependingon the choice of closure means for each opening and the particularproperties and configuration of each closure means. In particular, theopening devices may be configured to open once the interior of thechamber to which it is affixed is at a particular temperature, pressure,or liquid saturation, after a certain time has elapsed after the startof the beverage preparation process, or open immediately as in the caseof the peelable membrane. The food capsule is thereby configured to openeach chamber automatically, and in the correct order for the ingredientscontained therein.

According to a feature, said closure means of each chamber is configuredto open at a respective predetermined pressure.

This is advantageous in that providing such a closure means will ensurethat each chamber within the food capsule will open when the pressurewithin has accumulated to the proper point. In this way, the conditionsunder which each chamber of the food capsule is injected with liquid andeach portion of alimentary substance therein prepared into a foodcomponent are optimized.

This feature is further advantageous in that the provision of thecapsule-opening means within the chambers of the food capsule itselfwill greatly simplify the construction and operation of the foodpreparation machine utilized to prepare beverages therefrom.

Specifically, since each chamber of the food capsule is provided with anopening means, each of which being configured to open automatically uponreaching the desired internal pressure, the food preparation machinedoes not need to be provided with a capsule-opening means of its own,nor any mechanism for putting it into motion at the correct point in thebeverage preparation process. The beverage preparation process is thusmade simpler and more reliable at the same time it is made to producehigher-quality results.

According to another feature, said chambers are disposed concentricallywithin the food capsule.

This is advantageous in that it simplifies the process of locating thefood capsule within the food preparation machine. Specifically, sincethe chambers are disposed so as to be concentric within the foodcapsule, one need only know the distance of a point on the surface ofthe food capsule from the centre of the capsule to be able to determinewhich chamber an injection needle will penetrate when inserted into thecapsule at that point. The configuration of the food preparation machineis thereby simplified, in that the provision of the injection needles atfixed radii from the centre of a capsule receptacle will provideconsistent and reliable insertion of the injection needles within thechambers of the food capsule. In this way, the construction of the foodpreparation machine is simplified and the use of the food capsules madeeasier.

According to another feature, the food capsule comprises a centralchamber disposed in the centre of the cavity and a peripheral chamberdisposed at the periphery of the cavity around said central chamber.

This is advantageous in that a food capsule so constructed willfacilitate its positioning within a food preparation machine. A centralchamber will necessarily be at the centre of the food capsule, while theperipheral chamber must be disposed at a predetermined distance awayfrom said centre. Thus, one may configure the capsule such that thematching injection device has a first needle located at the centre ofthe capsule, and a second separated from the first by the predetermineddistance. Such an arrangement obviates the need to determine the angularorientation of the food capsule before inserting it into the foodpreparation machine, since so long as its centre is aligned with thefirst needle, the second needle will be properly aligned as well. Inthis way, the food capsule is rendered simpler and easier to use.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition between the central chamber andthe peripheral chamber comprises two walls disposed concentricallywithin said food capsule.

This is advantageous in that it permits the exact volumes of thechambers within the food capsule to be adjusted. For example, the twowalls may be disposed such that the space between them is a void,thereby reducing the total volume of the two chambers without requiringthe food capsule as a whole to be made smaller. This is particularlyadvantageous when the alimentary substances are relatively dense,thereby requiring a lower mass of said alimentary substances to preparea serving of a beverage than for other, less dense alimentarysubstances. The proportion of the volumes of the two chambers may bealtered in a like manner.

Furthermore, the provision of the partition as two walls permits thechambers to be shaped, by altering the shape and disposition of thewalls themselves. For example, one may configure one of the chamberssuch that its walls are sloped. This is particularly advantageous whenthe alimentary substance therein is roast & ground coffee, whichbenefits from compaction within the food capsule. In this way, theversatility of the food capsule of the invention is improved.

According to still another aspect, the closure means of the peripheralchamber are configured to open at a first predetermined pressure andsaid closure means of the central chamber are configured to open at asecond predetermined pressure, said first predetermined pressure beingpreferably higher than said second predetermined pressure.

This is advantageous in that it permits the injection of the foodcapsule by a food preparation machine having only a single needle. Uponthe start of the injection process, the pressure within the food capsulewill be approximately atmospheric; as the injection process continues,the pressure will increase. The food capsule and the food preparationmachine may be configured such that one alimentary substance isprepared, and its coordinating closure means opened, when the pressurewithin the capsule has increased to the appropriate level, and then theother prepared when the pressure within the capsule has climbed higherstill. In this way, one may realize the advantages of the food capsuleof the current invention while maintaining the simplicity of operationof the single-chamber and single-needle beverage production systems ofthe prior art.

In a preferred embodiment, said closure means of the peripheral chambercomprises a metal foil.

This is advantageous in that a metal foil may be adapted to provide adurable, air- and moisture-tight seal, thereby preserving the integrityof the alimentary substance within the peripheral chamber. Metal foilsare also generally well-suited for the safe and hygienic protection andstorage of alimentary products.

Furthermore, the material properties of metal foils are generally wellunderstood, such that a closure fabricated from metal foil may beadapted to reliably open at the first predetermined pressure.

Preferably, said central chamber houses a soluble product such as milk,and said peripheral chamber houses roast and ground coffee.

This is advantageous in that, since the predetermined pressure at whichthe closure means of the central chamber opens is configured to be lowerthan that at which the peripheral chamber opens, the food capsule isparticularly well-adapted to contain a soluble alimentary substance inthe central chamber and roast & ground coffee in the peripheral chamber.As roast & ground coffee requires a generally higher pressure ofextraction than soluble ingredients require for dissolution, the foodcapsule is therefore configured to provide favourable conditions for thepreparation of the alimentary substances so disposed therein.

According to another feature, said partition and said injection wall arebonded to each other with sealing means.

This is advantageous in bonding the partition and the injection wallwith a sealing means will ensure that there are no gaps between thepartition and the injection wall that would permit the alimentarysubstances provided within the capsules to flow between the chambers ofthe food capsule. This prevents the alimentary substances from mixingduring transport and storage of the food capsules, particularly when thecapsule is shaken. This ensures that the food product produced therefromis of a uniformly high quality.

Preferably, said sealing means comprises ultrasonic sealing, heatsealing, mechanical fastening, gluing, or a combination thereof.

This is advantageous in that these sealing means will provide a strongseal between the partition and capsule body quickly, and at a minimum ofexpense in a manufacturing setting. Furthermore, this selection ofsealing means may be performed in a way appropriate for an industrialfood-packaging operation, where cleanliness and absence of foreignbodies and substances within the food capsule are of paramountimportance. In this way, the economy of production of the food capsuleof the invention is further improved.

According to a second aspect, the invention is directed to a method forthe preparation of a beverage, comprising the steps of furnishing a foodcapsule as described above having a plurality of chambers each providedwith a quantity of a respective alimentary substance; injecting aquantity of a liquid into each of said chambers, said quantity of liquidmixing with said quantity of a alimentary substance provided within eachchamber to produce a food component; and dispensing said beverage into acontainer; wherein said injecting and dispensing steps are repeated foreach chamber within said food capsule.

This is advantageous in that preparing a beverage according to thismethod permits one to realize the advantages of the food capsuleaccording to the present invention. Particularly, the sequentialpreparation of the alimentary substance within each chamber means thatone may produce complex beverages from a single capsule as describedabove, as well as layering and other aesthetically-pleasing effects inthe beverage itself.

According to a feature, the injection of the quantity of fluid into eachof the said chambers of the food capsule is accomplished by inserting atleast one injection needle into each chamber.

This is advantageous in that by inserting at least one injection needleinto each chamber, one may expedite the beverage preparation process.Specifically, when a plurality of needles is employed, one may insertall of said needles into the food capsule at once, such as when saidfood capsule is inserted into the food preparation machine. Thisobviates the need to remove, reposition, and reinsert the injectionneedle between the injection of liquid into one chamber and the next.The beverage preparation process is thereby rendered faster and moreefficient.

According to a third feature, the invention is directed to a foodpreparation machine for accommodating a food capsule as described abovehaving a plurality of chambers each provided with a quantity of arespective alimentary substance, said food preparation machinecomprising a capsule holder for receiving said food capsule; at leastone injection needle, said at least one injection needle being disposedsuch that said injection wall is pierced by said injection needle; and aliquid supply, said liquid supply being disposed in fluid communicationwith said at least one injection needle and further comprising a meansfor selectably injecting a metered quantity of liquid through any ofsaid injection needles.

This is advantageous in that a food preparation machine so configuredwill permit the user to realize the advantages of the food capsule asdescribed above. In particular, the provision of the at least oneinjection needle and a means for selectably injecting a metered quantityof liquid through any of said injection needles permits the user toexercise control over which chambers within the food capsule areinjected with what volume of liquid and in which order. The user maythereby realize the entire range of benefits of the food capsuleaccording to the invention.

According to a feature, the capsule holder comprises a piercing meansconfigured to rupture a metal foil provided as a closure means of one ofthe plurality of chambers.

This is advantageous in that it permits the construction of the foodcapsules to be simplified. Specifically, the provision of a piercingmeans in the capsule holder eliminates the need to provide an openingmeans within that particular chamber itself. The food capsules needmerely be provided with a surface conducive to being pierced, a metalfoil being the most reliable and economical choice. In this way, theconstruction of the food capsules is simplified and the cost of theirfabrication reduced.

According to another feature, the food preparation machine comprises aplurality of injection needles disposed such that each chamber of saidfood capsule is pierced by at least one of said injection needles.

This is advantageous in that it permits the food preparation machine toinject a fluid into each of the chambers of the food capsule in quicksequence, without having to withdraw and reposition any of the injectionneedles. The speed and efficiency of the food preparation machine isthereby improved.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention is directed towards a foodpreparation machine, comprising a receptacle for a food capsule, saidfood capsule comprising a capsule body defining a cavity, a membranedisposed on an opening of said capsule body, an annular partitiondividing said capsule body into concentric chambers each provided with aquantity of a alimentary substance; a pressure ring, said pressure ringbeing substantially the same diameter of said annular partition, andbeing disposed so as to selectably press into said membrane of saidcapsule; and an injection needle, said injection needle comprising apointed distal end configured to mate with an outlet disposed in achamber of said food capsule, and being further provided with aplurality of injection holes disposed in its surface proximate to saiddistal end; wherein said pressure ring is configured in a first positionto press said membrane into said annular partition of said food capsuleand thereby block fluid communication between said partition and saidmembrane, and in a second position, to be retracted to re-establish thefluid communication between said concentric chambers, said pointeddistal end of said injection needle mating with said outlet when saidpressure ring is in a second position.

This is advantageous in that it permits the injection of a food capsuleusing a single needle. In particular, the configuration of the pressurering and the needle permits a first injection step to be carried outwhere the needle is partially inserted into a first chamber and thepressure ring advanced to block communication between the two chambers,wherein the contents of the first chamber are dissolved under lowpressure. The needle is then advanced to block the outlet of the firstchamber and the pressure ring retracted to re-establish fluidcommunication between the two chambers. The injection holes on the sideof the injection needle permit it to inject fluid at an elevatedpressure while its tip blocks the outlet of the first chamber, saidfluid passing through into the second chamber and extracting thealimentary substance therein.

In this way, one may utilize a single-needle injection apparatus, whilestill preventing leakage between the chambers of the food capsule and ahigh degree of accuracy in the volume of liquid injected into eachchamber. The simplicity of the food preparation machine, as well as thequality of the beverages so produced, is thereby optimized.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will also emergefrom the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the description of thepresently preferred embodiments which are set out below with referenceto the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side section view of a food capsule according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the food capsule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side section view of a food capsule according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 4A is a side section view depicting a first method for preparing abeverage from a food capsule according to FIG. 1, during a firstinjection step;

FIG. 4B is a side section view depicting a first method for preparing abeverage from a food capsule according to FIG. 1, during a secondinjection step;

FIG. 5A is a side section view depicting a second method for preparing abeverage from a food capsule according to FIG. 3, during a firstinjection step; and

FIG. 5B is a side section view depicting a second method for preparing abeverage from a food capsule according to FIG. 3, during a secondinjection step.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a side section view of a food capsule according to afirst embodiment. While the following discussion deals with a foodcapsule for the preparation of a beverage, it should be understood thatthe food capsule of the invention is not limited to such. In fact, itmay be adapted for the production of many different kinds of alimentarysubstances, for instance soups, vegetable purées, infant formula, andthe like.

The food capsule 100 is comprised of a cup-shaped capsule body 101,which encloses a cavity 102. The capsule body 101 further comprises afirst end 103 and a second end 104. The first end 103 comprises anopening 105, which is in communication with the cavity 102 and thesecond end 104. The second end 104 comprises the outlets 106 a, 106 b,which are also in communication with the cavity 102.

The food capsule 100 is further provided with a partition 107, whichdivides the cavity 102 into two chambers: a central chamber 108, and theperipheral chamber 109. In this particular embodiment, the centralchamber 108 and the peripheral chamber 109 are disposed concentrically.Each of the chambers 108, 109 is in communication with at least oneoutlet 106 a, 106 b disposed in the second end 104 of the capsule body101. Here, the capsule comprises a central outlet 106 a in communicationwith the central chamber 108, and peripheral outlets 106 b incommunication with the peripheral chamber 109.

Of course, it should be understood that the number, size, shape, anddisposition of the chambers within the food capsule, and theconfiguration of the outlets, may be adapted to the particularapplication in which the food capsule is to be use.

Within the chambers 108, 109 of the food capsule are provided quantitiesof alimentary substance: the central chamber 108 is provided a quantityof a first alimentary substance 110, while the peripheral chamber 109 isprovided with a quantity of a second alimentary substance 111. The firstalimentary substance 110 is preferably a soluble ingredient such aspowdered milk, while the second alimentary substance 111 is generally aningredient which is extracted under relatively high pressure, such asroast & ground coffee.

The first end 103 of the food capsule 100 is provided with an injectionwall 112. The injection wall 112 is an air- and moisture-tight membrane,which is disposed over the opening 105 and sealed to the capsule body101 and, in this embodiment, to the partition 107. The capsule body 101,partition 107, and injection wall 112 are preferably sealed to eachother by ultrasonic welding, though other methods of assembling the foodcapsule may alternately be employed.

At the second end 104, the plurality of outlets 106 a, 106 b areprovided with a first closure means 113 a and a second closure means 113b, which serve to close the outlets and, in conjunction with theinjection wall 112, seal the chambers 108, 109 of the food capsule andthe alimentary substances 110, 111 within.

The closure means 113 a and 113 b are chosen such that the closure meansused on one opening differs from that used on any other outlet of thefood capsule 100. This permits the conditions under which each of thechambers is opened during the beverage preparation process to be finelytuned to the particular beverage being made, and to ensure that thealimentary substances are prepared in the desired order.

For example, in one embodiment one of the closure means may be providedas a seal which is manually torn from the food capsule by the userbefore use. In another embodiment, one of the closure means is providedas a dissolvable plug which dissolves when the liquid is injected intothe food capsule. This might take the form of a sealing membrane whichmelts when exposed to the heat of the liquid injected; or possibly aplug which dissolves into the liquid itself, such as one made from sugaror starch. In still another embodiment, the closure means is a membranewhich bursts open on its own under the pressure of injection, preferablybetween 1 and 3 bar, and most preferably above 5 bar. In a fourthpossible embodiment, the closure means is provided as a pierceablemembrane, which is configured to deflect under the pressure of injectioninto a structure, either within the food capsule itself or disposed inthe food preparation machine, that pierces the membrane and opens it.

By way of example, then, the closure means 113 a may be provided as aseal which is peeled off by the user before use and the closure means113 b is a membrane which tears open when the pressure within theperipheral chamber 109 accumulates to a pre-determined level. This wouldprovide a central chamber which is open from the beginning of theinjection process, eliminating any delay in the beverage preparationprocess and preventing the pressure in the central chamber fromaccumulating to too great a level. Alternatively, one of the closuremeans may comprise a membrane which expands as the pressure within thechamber which it encloses accumulates, rupturing against a rupturingmeans disposed inside the food capsule or externally, such as in thefood preparation machine itself.

The second closure means 113 b is thus preferably configured so as toopen when the conditions within the respective chambers 108, 109 reach apoint which has been predetermined for each chamber. The first closuremeans 113 a is preferably open at low or atmospheric pressures, such asis the case with a peelable membrane or a liquid-dissolvable plug. Thisis particularly conducive to a configuration where an alimentarysubstance 110 comprising a soluble ingredient such as powdered milk isdisposed within the central chamber 108 and an alimentary substance 111comprising roast & ground coffee is disposed within the peripheralchamber 109.

In a possible variation, one may employ an alternate means exterior tothe food capsule to open the closure means. For example, the foodpreparation machine may be provided with a mechanical arm having apiercing means on an extremity, which is displaced so as to pierce theclosure means when the capsule is inserted into the food preparationmachine.

FIG. 2 depicts the food capsule 100 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the secondend 104. The position of the partition 107 within the capsule body 101is depicted; in this embodiment, the partition 107 is disposed so as todivide the cavity 102 of the food capsule 100 into two concentricchambers 108, 109.

The outlets 106 a, 106 b are also depicted. The central outlet 106 a issimply a circular hole in the capsule body 101, while the peripheraloutlets 106 b are configured as segments of an annular cut-out. Theexact shape, area, and disposition of the outlets may, of course, bealtered as appropriate to the application.

FIG. 3 depicts a side section view of a food capsule 300 according to asecond embodiment. As for the food capsule depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2,the food capsule 300 is comprised of a capsule body 301 enclosing acavity 302 and having a first end 303 and a second end 304. At the firstend 303 is an opening 305, which is in communication with the cavity 302and the second end 304.

The food capsule 300 is also provided with a partition 306, whichextends from the second end 304 into the cavity 302. In the embodimentdepicted, the partition 306 comprises a pair of slanted circular walls,which meet to form an sealing edge 307. The partition 306 thus dividesthe cavity 302 into a central chamber 308 and a peripheral chamber 309.

In an alternate embodiment, the two walls of the partition may beconfigured so as to provide the chambers 308, 309 in a particular formor volume, or to facilitate the provision of an alimentary substancetherein.

The food capsule 300 is further provided with outlets 310, 311, whichare disposed in the second end 304 so as to be in communication with thecentral and peripheral chambers 308, 309, respectively. The outlets 310,311 are each provided with a second and third closure means 312, 313,which are preferably configured to open when the interior of the foodcapsule reaches a pre-determined pressure as in the first embodiment.Finally, the food capsule 300 is provided with an injection wall 314over the opening 305 at the first end 303, thereby sealing the cavity302 of the food capsule 300.

In the present embodiment, the second closure means 312 is disposed overthe outlet 310 of the central chamber 308. The second closure means 312is here configured as a thin membrane fabricated from aluminium,preferably between 20 and 50 μm in thickness. As a result, the secondclosure means 312 will burst open when the pressure within the centralchamber 308 has risen to a certain point, generally between 1 and 3 bar.

The third closure means 313 is preferably also an aluminium membrane.The third closure means 313 is provided in a thickness sufficient toresist bursting when a pressure is applied within the peripheral chamber309. The third closure means 313 is instead configured such that arupturing device, disposed either inside the food capsule 300 itself, orwithin a capsule holder of a food preparation machine adapted to receivethe food capsule 300, ruptures the third closure means 313 when thepressure within the peripheral chamber reaches the required point,preferably between 8 and 12 bar but possibly 15 bar or more.

Within each of the chambers 308, 309 are provided, as in the firstembodiment, a quantity of an alimentary substance: a first alimentarysubstance 315 within the central chamber 308, and a second alimentarysubstance 316 within the peripheral chamber 309. In a preferredembodiment, the first alimentary substance 315 is a soluble ingredientsuch as powdered milk, and the second alimentary substance 316 is roast& ground coffee. This preferred embodiment will produce a cappuccinobeverage from a single food capsule. However, other combinations ofalimentary substances within the chambers 308, 309 of the food capsule300 may be employed.

In this embodiment, the partition 306 is not bonded to the injectionwall 314. Instead, the tip of the sealing edge 307 is in contact withthe interior surface of the injection wall 314. This prevents mixing ofingredients contained in the two chambers 308, 309 from mixing duringstorage and transport of the food capsule 300, especially when shaken.

Optionally, the partition 306 and injection wall 314 may be configuredsuch that the injection wall 314 is lightly stretched over the partition306, augmenting the resistance to mixing provided at the sealing edge307.

In an alternative embodiment, the interior surface of the injection wall314 is sealed to the partition 306 along the sealing edge 307. The sealis preferably configured to be relatively weak, such that it will breakwhen the difference in the internal fluid pressure of the chambers 308,309 reaches a pre-determined level.

The seal is preferably configured to yield under a pressure differentialof between 1 and 20 bar, more preferably between 2 and 12 bar, and mostpreferably between 3 and 7 bar. The exact pressure differential is, ofcourse, chosen in view of the particular alimentary substances disposedwithin the food capsule, and the optimal injection parameters thereof.

The seal itself may be created by using any kind of suitable assemblingtechnique or structure, whether chemical or mechanical. For example, theinjection wall 314 may be sealed to the sealing edge 307 of thepartition 306 by the use of a chemical means such as a solvent or glue,by thermal means such as ultrasonic sealing or heat sealing, ormechanical attachments such as snaps, crimps, clasps, or the like, orany combination thereof.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depicts a process for preparing a beverage from the foodcapsule 100 of FIG. 1, during a first and second injection step,respectively.

In FIG. 4A, the food capsule 100 is furnished. The food capsule 100 has,in particular, a central chamber 108, a peripheral chamber 109, and aninjection wall 112 sealing an opening 105 of a capsule body 101. Thefood capsule further has outlets 106 a, 106 b disposed in communicationwith the chambers 108, 109, which are closed by the first closure means113 a and the second closure means 113 b. The chambers 108, 109 are, asbefore, provided with a quantity of an alimentary substance; in thisembodiment, the first alimentary substance 109 is a soluble ingredient,and the second alimentary substance 110 is roast & ground coffee.

During the first injection step, the injection needles 400, 401 areinserted into the food capsule, piercing the injection wall 112. Theinjection needles 400, 401 comprise a central injection needle 400 whichis inserted into the central chamber 108, and the peripheral injectionneedles 401 which are inserted into the peripheral chamber 109.

A quantity of liquid 402 is injected through the central injectionneedle 400 into the central chamber 108, wherein it dissolves the firstalimentary substance 110 to create the first food component 403. As theliquid 402 is injected into the central chamber 108, the pressuretherein will build to the point where the first closure means 113 a,such as a foil seal, over the outlet 106 a ruptures. The first foodcomponent 403 will then be free to flow from the capsule 100 through theoutlet 106 a, into a container for consumption.

FIG. 4B depicts the same food capsule, during a second injection step.Once the central chamber 108 is emptied of the first food component, theperipheral injection needles will inject a quantity of liquid 404 intothe peripheral chamber 109. The peripheral chamber 109 contains aquantity of a second alimentary substance 111, which mixes with theliquid 404.

As the liquid 404 is injected, the pressure within the peripheralchamber 109 builds to the point that it causes the second closure means113 b upon the outlets 106 b to rupture. The liquid 404 will therebyextract the alimentary substance 111 to create the second food component405, which flows from the outlets 106 b and out of the food capsule andinto a container for consumption.

Preferably, the flow of liquid through each of the injection needles400, 401 is controlled by a metering means and appropriate valvesdisposed within the food preparation machine. However, alternate meansfor controlling the timing of the injection of fluid into each chamberof a food capsule, as well as means for determining the volume injected,temperature of the liquid, and other beverage preparation parameters,may be employed according to each particular application.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a second method for preparing a beverage, from afood capsule according to FIG. 3. FIG. 5A depicts a first injection stepin the method, while FIG. 5B depicts a second injection step.

In FIG. 5A, the food capsule 300 is pierced by a centrally-disposedinjection needle 500. The injection needle 500 has a closed tip 501,instead being furnished with a plurality of injection holes 502 aboutits sides, near the tip 501.

The food preparation machine is further furnished with a pressure ring503. The pressure ring 503 is pressed into the injection wall 314 of thefood capsule 300 with pressure 504, causing it to deflect into thecavity and pressing it into the partition 306 along the sealing edge307. This pressure creates a seal between the injection wall 314 and thepartition 306, thereby preventing fluid flow between the central chamber308 and the peripheral chamber 309.

During the first injection step, the injection needle 500 injects afirst quantity of liquid 505 into the central chamber 308, mixing withthe first alimentary substance 315 disposed therein. As the injection ofthe first quantity of liquid 505 continues, the pressure will build inthe capsule, causing the second closure means 312 to open and permitflow from the outlet 310. The first quantity of liquid 505 mixed withthe first alimentary substance 315 produces the first food component506, which flows from the outlet 310 of the central chamber 308 of thefood capsule 300. The injection of fluid 505 will continue until theentire quantity of first alimentary substance 315 has been made into thefirst food component 506.

During the second injection step, depicted in FIG. 5B, the sealing ring503 is withdrawn from the injection wall 314 of the food capsule 300,re-establishing fluid communication between the central chamber 308 andthe peripheral chamber 309.

The second injection step begins when the injection needle 500 injects asecond quantity of liquid 507 into the central chamber 308 of the foodcapsule 300, at a higher pressure than that at which the first quantityof liquid 505 was injected during the first injection step. The secondquantity of fluid 507 flows through the space 317 between the partition306 and the injection wall 304, into the peripheral chamber 309. Thesecond quantity of liquid 507 mixes therein with the second alimentarysubstance 316.

As the second injection step proceeds, the pressure within the foodcapsule will accumulate, causing the third closure means 313 to deflectinto the piercing means 508. The piercing means 508 is disposed in thefood preparation machine, a component of the capsule holder whichreceives the food capsules.

In a possible alternative embodiment, the injection needle 500 may beconfigured to mate with the interior surface of the outlet 310. In suchan alternative, the injection needle 500 is advanced into the foodcapsule 300 at the start of the second injecting step, lodging in theoutlet 310 and blocking fluid communication through it. This preventsleakage through the outlet 310 during the second injecting step.

In the embodiment depicted, the piercing means 508 is a ring ofpyramidal or spike-shaped protrusions, which pierce the third closuremeans 313 when the pressure within the food capsule has accumulated to asufficient point. At this point, the third closure means 313 deflectsinto contact with the piercing means 508 and is ruptured by it, therebyopening the outlet 311 at the bottom of the peripheral chamber 309.

As the liquid 507 flows into and through the peripheral chamber 309, itproduces a second food component 509, which is conducted out of the foodcapsule 300 through the outlet 311.

Preferably, the second alimentary substance 316 is one which isextracted, as the higher pressure required for extraction will preventthe third closure means 313 from being ruptured prematurely during thefirst injection step if the seal between the partition 360 and theinjection wall 314 is imperfect.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments describedabove and in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible,particularly as to the construction of the various elements or bysubstitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing fromthe scope of protection of the invention.

In particular, it should be understood that the possible configurationsof food capsules is not limited to the examples described herein. Inparticular, it should be recognized that a multitude of variationsincorporating differing alimentary substances, capsule configurations,capsule geometries, closure means, and other such variations are allpossible.

Also, it should be understood that the configuration of the foodpreparation machine adapted to receive such capsules, in particular theconfiguration of the injection means and the means for holding andopening the food capsule, may also be varied according to the particularapplication in which the food capsules and food preparation machine areto be employed.

The exact configuration and operation of the invention as practiced maythus vary from the foregoing description without departing from theinventive principle described therein. Accordingly, the scope of thisdisclosure is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting, and thescope of this invention is defined by any claims that stem at least inpart from it.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing a food product, themethod comprising: furnishing a food capsule comprising a cup-shapedcapsule body enclosing a cavity, the cup-shaped capsule body comprisinga first end and a second end, the first end comprising an openingcommunicating with the cavity, the food capsule comprising an injectionwall closing the opening of the first end of the cup-shaped capsulebody, the food capsule comprising a partition disposed within the cavityand dividing the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, thepartition extending from the injection wall to the second end of thecup-shaped capsule body, the first chamber housing a first alimentarysubstance and being in communication with a first outlet provided in thesecond end, the second chamber housing a second alimentary substance andbeing in communication with a second outlet provided in the second end,and each of the first outlet and the second outlet comprising anindependently-operable closure member, a closure member of the firstchamber is configured to open at a first predetermined pressure, aclosure member of the second chamber is configured to open at a secondpredetermined pressure, and the second predetermined pressure is higherthan the first predetermined pressure, creating a seal between theinjection wall and the partition of the first chamber and the secondchamber, the seal preventing fluid communication between the firstchamber and the second chamber; injecting a first quantity of a liquidinto the first chamber by inserting the at least one injection needlethrough the injection wall into the first chamber, the first quantity ofthe liquid mixing with the first alimentary substance provided withinthe first chamber to produce a first food component; dispensing thefirst food component from the first outlet; opening the seal andestablishing fluid communication between the first chamber and thesecond chamber through a space between the injection wall and thepartition; injecting a second quantity of the liquid from the at leastone injection needle into the first chamber, the second quantity of theliquid flowing from the first chamber through the space between theinjection wall and the partition to the second chamber to mix with thesecond alimentary substance provided within the second chamber toproduce a second food component; and dispensing the second foodcomponent from the second outlet.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst chamber is a central chamber disposed in a center of the cavity,and the second chamber is a peripheral chamber disposed at a peripheryof the cavity around the central chamber.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the partition between the central chamber and the peripheralchamber comprises two walls disposed concentrically within the foodcapsule.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the closure member of theperipheral chamber comprises a metal foil.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein the central chamber houses a soluble product, and the peripheralchamber houses roast and ground coffee.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the soluble product comprises milk.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the partition and the injection wall are bonded to each otherwith at least one sealing member.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein theat least one sealing member is created by a method selected from thegroup consisting of ultrasonic sealing, heat sealing, mechanicalfastening, gluing, and combinations thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein at least one of the closure member of the first chamber or theclosure member of the second chamber is selected from the groupconsisting of a self-tearable membrane, a membrane which bursts open onits own under a certain pressure, a membrane which expands as thepressure within the corresponding chamber which the membrane enclosesaccumulates and ruptures against a rupturing means disposed inside thefood capsule or externally, and a liquid-dissolvable plug.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one injection needle is providedby a machine that further comprises a pressure ring, the creating of theseal comprises the pressure ring deflecting the injection wall into thepartition, and the opening of the seal comprises withdrawing thepressure ring from the injection wall.